Jim Gauthier Mazda and Mazda Canada Busted
February-22nd-2003, 02:17 PM
#1
Ryce is NOT TEH W1N!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 870
Jim Gauthier Mazda and Mazda Canada Busted
Was anyone else watching the news story this morning on CBC? I was flippin channels when I saw the Mazda logo and tuned in to see what was going on. Apparantly someone had a complaint or something and CBC went to test it out, the dealer of choice: Jim Gauthier Mazda. What was to be a routine maintinence that should cost $280 or something around there ended up to be $700...then it got changed to $500-$600! This isnt the only dealership that got tagged, all over Canada, they were quoting over $450, and when Mazda Canada spoke to them, the lowest was $250 now but still ranged up to $500 in Vancouver!! Just thought I should give you guys a heads up if you are going in for a tune up or something...not trying to bash any dealerships or anything but that was the dealer they profiled 
February-22nd-2003, 02:59 PM
#2
SEULBOG
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 356
You know what... those stations (CBC as mentioned) should be given extra kudos for doing this kind of thing... There are too many companies taking advantage of under-knowledged people out there... I know it's Buyer Beware, but still, I for one, wouldn't have a clue as to when a dealership is ripping me off on service.
This is my fist new car, and I don't want to miss out on maintenance and void my warranty, therefore, I simply take my car in, and when they give me a total, I pay it... I hate being in this situation, but I don't know a way around it.
I say that any business caught being fraudulent deserves to be posted all over National TV... have you ever noticed, that when they do, they never comment... That's a guilty plea if I've ever heard one.
There's my $0.02 and I know there's people out there that will argue my position, and I welcome it.... I'm sure theMan will be here any time now.
This is my fist new car, and I don't want to miss out on maintenance and void my warranty, therefore, I simply take my car in, and when they give me a total, I pay it... I hate being in this situation, but I don't know a way around it.
I say that any business caught being fraudulent deserves to be posted all over National TV... have you ever noticed, that when they do, they never comment... That's a guilty plea if I've ever heard one.
There's my $0.02 and I know there's people out there that will argue my position, and I welcome it.... I'm sure theMan will be here any time now.
February-22nd-2003, 11:50 PM
#4
SEULBOG
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 356
This brings me to another question... I have a good buddy who owns his own shop so getting cheap and reliable service is no problem, so is there any servicing that HAS to be done at Mazda?... is there anything special that is Mazda related? Richard, you said that you have an independent "Mazda" mechanic... Is there anything special he does that a regular service shop may not know of?
February-23rd-2003, 05:31 PM
#6
SEULBOG
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 356
I hear you Soma, but really, who knows if they aren't all like that... I guess it just comes down to trust! And knowledge!! I'm sure if CBC probed all the stealerships in the city, they'd find something dirty on each one of them!!
February-24th-2003, 02:09 PM
#8
Lets go Jets!!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 217
The CBC I Team did that report over 3 months ago.
They been showing the repeat and update all week. My dealership was the worst one when they did the first report, then they fixed things up when they got rid of 70% of the service staff. Mazda Canada already reemed out all the dealerships 3 months back, now everything is back to normal. (That was the last part of the show that everyone seems to ignore)
They been showing the repeat and update all week. My dealership was the worst one when they did the first report, then they fixed things up when they got rid of 70% of the service staff. Mazda Canada already reemed out all the dealerships 3 months back, now everything is back to normal. (That was the last part of the show that everyone seems to ignore)
February-24th-2003, 02:14 PM
#9
Lets go Jets!!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 217
Soma: when they probed all the dealerships they found that they were all overcharging. It wasn't just us.
We were targeted because we were overcharging the most. But that doesn't mean that what the other dealerships was doing was right.
And that report was orginally done before you had your MP3, so dont worry, you didnt get ripped off. I looked at your service records to make sure buddy.
We were targeted because we were overcharging the most. But that doesn't mean that what the other dealerships was doing was right.
And that report was orginally done before you had your MP3, so dont worry, you didnt get ripped off. I looked at your service records to make sure buddy.
February-24th-2003, 10:04 PM
#11
WPC co-founder
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 510
well, so far the service has been ok, but i've never had to pay for anything....its all been under warranty (and i'd never give in to there "reccommended inspections" every how many miles...i'd just do it myself...i do find thought that they do charge a bit more for their oil changes....i can't wait til summer unntil i can do them on my own 
February-24th-2003, 10:34 PM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 129
I have always avoided dealerships since my gen 1 dx. I only went back for warranty related work on my mp3 (cluncking & vibrating windshield, anyone?). I have an amazing mechanic in TO who is knowledgeable & honest. I won't say he is the cheapest around, but certainly cheaper than dealers and is also willing to explain alternatives.
Now that I'm new in Calgary, I haven't got any good referrals yet. Therefore, I will be going back to North Hill for my next scheduled maintenance (either this week or next week). Anyone has other suggestions?
Now that I'm new in Calgary, I haven't got any good referrals yet. Therefore, I will be going back to North Hill for my next scheduled maintenance (either this week or next week). Anyone has other suggestions?
February-25th-2003, 08:48 AM
#13
Lets go Jets!!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 217
Eltonr: The only service managers I know in the past were not related to the owner. They were the ones who drove the service dept into the ground, which is kind of funny since one of them went to Destination.
The new Service Manager at Gauthiers is Wally, and hes doing a good job trying to restore the department. Hes a fair guy, if you have a concern you can straight up ask him. Tell him Brett sent you.
The new Service Manager at Gauthiers is Wally, and hes doing a good job trying to restore the department. Hes a fair guy, if you have a concern you can straight up ask him. Tell him Brett sent you.